January 27, 1942 (19th Parliament, 3rd Session)

Hon. R. B. HANSON (Leader of the Opposition):

Mr. Speaker, I desire to direct one or two questions to the Prime Minister, arising out of a bulletin received from London to-day in Ottawa, in which it is stated that Prime Minister Churchill announced to-day that the British government has acceded to Australia's request for represents-
Imperial War Cabinet

tion on an imperial war cabinet. It will be recalled that yesterday Prime Minister Curtin is reported to have stated over the radio:
We claim representation in an imperial war cabinet so that Australia's voice and counsel may be heard directly.
The bulletin to which I have already referred quotes Mr. Churchill as having saidi:
We have, of course, agreed that the same facilities will be accorded to New Zealand, Canada and South Africa.
I now ask the Prime Minister if Mr. Churchill has communicated with Canada offering facilities to Canada for representation in an imperial war cabinet; and if so, will Canada be represented in an imperial war cabinet. I further ask the Prime Minister to inform the house and the country what is the government's position in relation to this important question. Perhaps I -may be pardoned for recalling that I have repeatedly urged in this house the formation of an imperial war cabinet.